miércoles, 26 de octubre de 2011

Hacienda Guachipelin Hotel and Adventure Center

                                                                               
About La Hacienda
Hacienda Guachipelín Hotel, dedicated to ecotourism, is situated at the foothill of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano, Guanacaste Costa Rica. You’ll find the hacienda surrounded by lush gardens with native trees, exotic flowers, a great variety of birds and astonishing views to the Rincon de la Vieja volcano as well as to the Pacific Ocean.
This ambiance of a lot of “adventure” activities is waiting for the alternative tourist who likes to spend his/her holiday in a different way. We offer: horseback riding, canopy, tubing at the rapids of the Río Negro, various hiking trails, natural hot water springs, rivers and crystal clear waterfalls, virgin forests with birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Relaxing volcanic mud pools may close this incomplete list of attractions that you can enjoy while staying at the hotel.
How to get there:
On your rental car, take the route that leads to Rincon de La Vieja. From Liberia itself, head north and drive on the Pan-American Highway 3 miles/5.8km north of the Liberia main intersection (at Burger King) then turn right to Curubande, national park Rincon de la Vieja, Sector Pailas. You’ll pass the village of Curubande at about 8.5 miles/13.6km and after 1 mile/1,7km more, you reach the gate of Hacienda Guachipelín Hotel.
From the Liberian airport Daniel Oduber Quiros, you first drive 20 miles/32km east to reach the Liberia main intersection. (There you turn left to the north)
What to do in Rincon de la Vieja
Hiking trails at the hacienda as well as at the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Canopy, Tubing (kind of rafting), rappelling at the canyons and waterfalls, Horseback riding tours, Hot springs, Volcanic mud pools, Rodeo, Bird- and butterfly watching, Cowboy for one day, Ranch hand or just visit the farm. Make your choice with the one-day pass. All our activities are organized and start at our “Adventure Centre” located in the hotel.
                                                                                
Weather in Rincon de la Vieja National Park.The average temperature is about 78ºF/26ºC. The dry season lasts from December to March with hot and sunny days and magnificent sunsets. From May to November is the rainy season, which is dominated by sunny mornings and rainy afternoons, but is famous for its green and blossom views on de mountain slopes as well as on the plains. All our activities are organized and start at our “Adventure Centre” located in the hotel.
Costa Rica Map with location of Hacienda Guachipelin you are coming in your own car or  car rental from San José, drive to Liberia on the Pan American Highway. From the main intersection in Liberia (you'll notice three gas stations and Burger King), drive 3 miles/ 5 kilometers north, towards the Nicaraguan border, and turn right at the entrance to Curubande/Rincón de la Vieja National Park/Las Pailas sector. It is 8.6 miles/14 kilometers on a dirt road to the village of Curubande, and another mile/1,7km to the gate at Hacienda Guachipelín.
From the Liberia airport Daniel Oduber Quiros, you first drive 20 miles/32 kilometers east to reach the Liberia main intersection. (There you turn left to the north).
At the gate, you must pay a fee of ₡700 (colones) per person for the use of the private road. This money goes directly to the maintenance of the road and the parking area at the Las Pailas sector of the National Park. Both the road and parking area are maintained by Hacienda Guachipelín.
From the gate, continue to the first fork in the road and take a right, following the signs to Hacienda Guachipelín.
If you are coming from any of the Guanacaste beaches, Monteverde or Arenal, and wish to use public transportation, we recommend you consult your local hotel to figure out the best way of reaching Liberia. We also recommend you contact us in advance to arrange and coordinate a pickup in Liberia, from where we will be happy to transport you to the hotel. Once at Hacienda Guachipelín, we will help you to insure your onward travel arrangements are made in a safe way.

About the Hotel
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is truly an ecotourism lodge for adventure travel and nature lovers. The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens with native trees, exotic flowers and many types of birds, and it has views to both the Rincón de la Vieja volcano and the Pacific Ocean. Near the reception area, you will find our corrals, where real cowboys and ranch hands begins to work early in the mornings. We also have many adventure activities that are awaiting the adventurer who comes to Costa Rica for a different holiday, including horseback riding, Canyon canopy tour, tubing on the Río Negro and trekking among many other activities and attractions.
The Reception Area.
The reception area and the bar by the swimming pool are housed in a building more than a century old, part of the original Hacienda. Here you will receive your welcoming drink, while you sit and relax on the chaise lounges and rocking chairs.
The refreshing swimming pool is filled with natural spring waters, coming from the volcano. You can order some snacks and your favorite drinks here at the Bar, and dance with live marimba music at night.
Hacienda Guachipelin is a down-to-earth, yet comfortable hotel catering to nature lovers and adventure travelers. There are Standard and Superior Rooms.
From your room, you can enjoy, during the day, the views of the volcano and the hacienda, and relax at night with the real sounds of nature. Outside, wide and inviting verandahs await for sharing afternoon chats with fellow travelers.
Activities:
Río Negro Tubing Adventure
After a horseback ride of 45 minutes through the forest we arrive at the changing rooms where we can prepare us for the tubing adventure and have a short briefing about security. After a short walk, we arrive at the foot of the Victoria waterfall, where the tubing starts.
Then everyone gets his/her proper rafting “tube” to make the adrenaline in your body seek its way out, while you have to navigate through Río Negro´s crystal clear rapids.
Afterwards we go to the changing rooms again before the horses takes us back to the Hacienda

                                                                                       
Oropendola Waterfall
The Oropéndola waterfall is a very impressive 82 feet high natural shower. The emerald green water invites for a refreshing dive. The waterfall is located in a beautiful vegetated canyon which beauty you’ll enjoy.
To get at the waterfall we have two options:
Horseback riding: From the hotel we take a scenic trail by horse. At the end of the trail we have a short walk to get to the canyon. Although the last part of the trail is easy, it can’t be done by horse. At the waterfall we have a longer break before returning to the Hacienda.
Hiking: For this option there are two possibilities:
1. Leaving the hotel by bus to the parking lot of the national park where we start walking to the waterfall, returning by foot to the parking lot and the waiting bus.
2. We take the forest trail from the hotel and walk all the way to the waterfall.
Symbiosis Spa (Thermal Sulphur Waters, Volcanic Mud and Massages)
You’ll find the Spa embedded in the tropical dry forest, surrounded by the Río Colorado. Once at the spa, you start your treatment with the basic recommendation: Take a natural sauna for about fifteen minutes to open all the skin pores before you are led to the place where you can apply the volcanic mud on your skin, let it dry and later wash it off by taking a shower. Then it’s time to relax in the pools filled with thermal waters for about twenty minutes. Completing the treatment with a cold shower so the skin pores can close again, and you’ll feel reborn.
Beside this basic skin treatment, we offer a variety of massages, body and facial treatments which will increase your “reborn” feeling.
We advise you to make a reservation for the massage.
Different kind of massages:
Full body, Deep Tissue, Foot Reflexology, Back massage, Venous Return, Facial and neck, Couple Massage, Mud Wrap, Chocolate wrap etc.
To get to the spa we have two options:
Horseback riding: Take the trail by horse, after the treatment return by horse to the hotel.
Transport by car: You leave the hotel by car. After the treatment you’ll be taken back to the hotel again
                                                                                      
The Canyon Canopy
Tour this tour starts with a short walk from the hotel “adventure centre” to the first canopy platform where, after a short briefing, the magic and exiting experience begins. Our canopy is the only one in the country that takes you in to a canyon and over a turbulent river. Imagine yourself rappelling, rock climbing, doing canopy, Tarzan swings, via ferrata and hanging bridges, all set in the majestic canyon made by the erosion of the Río Blanco during millions of years. This amazing tour will let you enjoy a great variety of vegetation, birds, mammal’s reptiles and much more. You may count on 12 cable “rides”, 24 platforms, 2 climbing walls, a hanging bridge, via ferrata rappel, swing seats and a lot of adrenaline.
                                                                           
Las Chorreras Waterfall
This waterfall meets the Río Blanco (White River) and together they form a natural crystal clear blue pool. It is an excellent place to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and go for a refreshing swim.
To get to the waterfall we have two options:
Horseback riding: The trail leads us to an enormous rock from where you have a beautiful sight of the waterfall and the surroundings. After a long break we mount up again to return to the Hacienda.
Hiking: We walk the same trail as the horses.
The Red Pond It’s a pond on the Blanco River, which shows a solid rock formation in red and white colors. It is a very interesting lava formation and is situated very close to the hotel.
Waterfalls Canyoning Tour
After a 45 minutes horseback ride, we arrive at the changing rooms to prepare us for the canyoning tour. At the foot of the Victoria waterfall we’ll have a short briefing about security before we can begin our canyoning adventure.
To move yourself by cable, experience the effects of the swing going through the Victoria waterfall, jumping in to the pool while rappelling, and as desert climbing the wall of the cascade.
After this great tour ends we’ll get changed again and let the bus take us back to the Hacienda.
La Victoria Waterfall This is a place for the adventurous ones. It is accessed through a steep trail. When it reaches the Colorado River, there is an 115feet/ 35 meter high waterfall. The canyon surrounding the area has a different vegetation and depth. It is located 1.8miles/3 km. from the Hacienda Guachipelín.
Hiking track to the crater:
The trail takes you along different types of vegetation and a variety of trees. At some spots the view is astonishing at a height of about 5.900 feet/1800m.
At clear days you can see the Caribbean Sea, the great Nicaraguan lake and, of course, the Pacific Ocean! Located close to the top are the “Jilguero” lagoon and the highest part: the Von Seebach.
You must be aware of walking this trail, being the longest with its 5 miles/8km, only can be done if you start early in the morning and if the weather conditions are good.
Transportation can be arranged by car or horse from the hacienda to the main gate of the park and back. The National Park only may be entered by foot. The park is closed on Mondays.
Blanco River Pool It’s a natural pool with transparent water. Surrounded by forest and rock formations characteristic of this area and is situated only 600 meters from the hotel. It´s perfect for a short hike during the day.
                                                                           

Horseback riding at Rincón de la Vieja National Park
You leave from the hacienda stables on a trail through tropical dry woods. A part of the trail leads through reforested area. The hotel has about 1.25 square miles reserved as reforestation area in which are grown species threatened by extinction. In these surroundings you can see a great variety of birds, mammals, reptiles etc. At the property of the hacienda we seek trails of interest of flora and fauna and sightseeing spots instead of paved roads. On our calm and friendly horses we take you on a 45 minute trip to the National Park main gate, where we have to leave our horses, as we are only allowed to enter the park by foot.
At the park we take the “Las Pailas” track and when we finish the walking part, the horses are waiting to take us back to the Hacienda.

Arriving at Liberia Airport, Costa Rica (LIR)

                                                                           
Location 
The Liberia International Airport is located near the small city of Liberia, Guanacaste, which is the largest city in North Pacific Coast, with a total population of about 60,000 residents. It has traditionally served as a tourist hub, directing traffic to nearby volcanoes (such as Rincon de la Vieja, 35 km.),national parks (such as Santa Rosa, 45 km.) and numerous beaches (from 20 to100km away), and other prime tourist destinations (including Granada, Nicaragua and some of that country’s southern coastal areas). In fact, Liberia airport is located only 70 km. south from the Nicaraguan border. National parks and protected areas cover approximately 105,000 hectares inland and 93,000 hectares at sea in the Guanacaste province.

Liberia Airport, also known as the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport of Liberia (IATA: LIR), is the second and finest international airports in Costa Rica. This airport offers international connections to the US and Canada. It also offers scheduled flights to other exciting destinations in Europe and connections to other parts of Asia.
Known as the 'Gateway to the Sun', Liberia Airport is a great place to touch down, as it provides easy access to the beautiful northwest Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and nearby national parks.
It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A tropical dry climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.
Access to Liberia Airport
The Liberia Airport is 13 km west of the city center, on the main highway 21 that connects to numerous beaches on the Pacific Coast. Tamarindo, Flamingo, Coco and other major towns and developments are located less than one hour from the Airport. The closest distance to the coast is Playa Panama (12km) 42. Liberia is located approximately 160 km. away from the Central Valley, where San Jose, the nation’s capital is located. It is important to note that due to mountain topography, old roads and highway congestion, this 160 km drive usually requires three to four hours.

You can access Liberia Airport from virtually any point in Costa Rica with regular bus services available to and from the airport and frequent bus and taxi services to and from Liberia city.  There are regular bus connections from Liberia Municipal Bus Station to Tamrindo/Flamingo and to Santa Cruz/Nicoya.
Airport Infrastructure
                                                                               

New terminal building and operator
The government of Costa Rica awarded Coriport, S.A., a 20-year concession to design, finance, construct and operate a new terminal building and its associated landside and airside facilities, as well as approximately 36,000 m2 (390,000 sq ft) of airport land currently occupied by the existing terminal and associated facilities. Coriport's shareholders include MMM Aviation Group, Emperador Pez Espada S.R.L., Inversiones Cielo Claro LTDA, Cocobolo Inversiones S.R.L., and ADC&HAS Houston-based Airports Worldwide who is also the project's operator, as well as lead investor.
The new terminal building, encompassing approximately 23,000 m2 (250,000 sq ft) will feature a contemporary design that both increases efficiency and capacity over the existing facility:
  • 2 Levels
  • Over 15,600 m2 of enclosed area
  • Over 23,000 m2 total construction
  • 4 contact gates connecting to 4 airbridges, 2 remote (2 remote positions have covered walkways)
  • ~1,000 m2 of commercial space
The airport has all of the ideal technical and operational qualifications for success according to FAA, including high visibility, good weather, low altitude (144 meters above sea level) and very few obstacles in the vicinity. Unlike the Juan Santamaria Airport SJO) in Alajuela, these ideal conditions permit aircraft to leave with fully loaded, not just in terms of passengers but also total cargo weight, which maximizes airline profitability. In addition, this airport can remain open 365 days a year, 24 hours, a condition few airports in Latin America can claim.

                                                                           

Facilities and Services

Services and facilities at Liberia International Airport allow us to make your experience with us both pleasant and convenient. Liberia Airport strives to represent Costa Rica by providing an outstanding, welcoming and uniquely Guanacastecan/Tico experience.  We offer luggage storage, suitcase carts, visitor information and assistance among many other services all created to take the hassle out of travel.

Public Landside:

Flight Information Display System
Regular updates of flight & travel-related information
·         Car parking - Liberia airport offers both short-term and long-term parking within the airport. All car parks operate 24 hours and are regularly patrolled by airport police. Minivan and Taxi Parking
·         Bus Service - Regular services are available from outside the terminal building to Liberia, Tamarindo or Flamingo with onward connections to all of Guanacaste's major cities. There are also Mini Van Shuttle services from/to nearly tourist destinations.
·         Bar/Restaurant - Liberia Airport offers a good variety of Restaurants and bars throughout the terminal and boarding areas.
Private Landside:

Bureau de Change/Currency Exchange Facilities
These facilities are operated by Banco LAFISE in the Check in Area, Customs Hall and Departures Lounge
There is an ATM Machine located in the arrivals concourse

Car Hire Service
There are 3 car hire companies located for your convenience in the arrivals terminal offering all classes of vehicles at competitive rates.

Airport Shopping

For departing passengers, The IMAS (Costa Rica Institute of Social Welfare) Duty Free Shop provides an extensive selection of cigarettes, liquor, food, luxury goods, confectionary, and essential travel accessories.  All of this combined with world class customer service and unbeatable prices.

Café Britt Shop filled with gourmet Costa Rican coffees, arts and crafts, traditional sweets, fruit preserves, locally-themed souvenirs such as magnets, caps, key chains, pins, T-shirts that allow passengers to take a little of Costa Rica home with them.
A minimarket model with just-the-right mix of convenience products, soft drinks, snacks, candy and personal care items. Displays and sales are designed to optimize the customer's shopping ease.
Airport Shopping is available to all passengers travelling to all destinations.  Some conditions apply in relation to the packing of liquid, gel and paste purchases. 
Restaurant & Bar
The airport has one sport bar of 300 square meters and one restaurant that offers international and Costa Rican cuisine.

Art Gallery

Information Desk
The Airport Information Desk, provided by Liberia Airport staff, is situated in the Arrivals Concourse. It is open from 06.00 to 23.00 daily and staff will be happy to help you with any information or any assistance you may require. Guanacaste Tourism's Information and Reservations Center is located in the Arrivals Concourse and is operated by the Guanacaste Tourism Chamber.  It provides a number of services to the visitor arriving into Liberia including: 
·         All Guanacaste Accommodation Reservations Services
·         Assistance with Guanacaste Holiday itineraries
·         Retail area with a broad range of maps, guides, and books

                                                                              

Scheduled Flights
Scheduled flights from Liberia Airport for summer 2012 are:
Airlines and destinations

Airlines
Destinations
Seasonal: Düsseldorf [begins November 12]
Seasonal: Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson
Seasonal: Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver
Seasonal: Amsterdam, Düsseldorf
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Miami
Seasonal: Toronto-Pearson
Houston-Intercontinental, Newark
Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul [begins January 7]
Seasonal: Toronto-Pearson
Seasonal: Denver
Brussels
New York-JFK [begins November 17]
Seasonal: Miami
La Fortuna, Managua, Punta Islita, Pavas-SYQ, Tamarindo
Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul [begins January 13]
Toronto-Pearson
TACA operated by TACA Regional
San Salvador
TACA operated by Sansa
San José de Costa Rica, Tamarindo
Thomas Cook Canada operated by Jazz Air
Seasonal: Montreal-Trudeau, Ottawa, Toronto-Pearson
London-Gatwick
Seasonal: Chicago-O'Hare
Chicago-O ‘Hare, St. Louis
Charlotte

Scheduled Airlines
Check http://www.liberiacostaricaairport.net/LIR-Arrival-and-Departures.html for up-to-date information.

Air Canada
No office in Liberia

Air Berlin
No office in Liberia

Taca /Avianca
2668-1017/1047

USA 3000
1800 626747 (IRL)

www.usa3000.com
Continental Airlines
2668-1165

Delta Airlines Inc
2668-1050

American Airlines
2668-1181

Nature Air
2299-6000

Sansa
2668-1017

Frontier Airlines
800-432-1359

Jet Blue
0800-012-1666

Sun Country Airlines
800-359-6786

US Airways
2668-1137/1132



Guanacaste Tourism
This airport is primarily built to cater to the needs of thousand of tourists visiting Costa Rica to enjoy that great weather, amazing beaches and good, traditional Costa Rican cuisine.
Today, the Liberia Costa Rica Airport is fast becoming one of the best performing commercial hubs in Central America. If you want to have the great summer holiday experience, then you must fly to Liberia Costa Rica Airport. This is the quickest way to visit all those beautiful tourist attractions in Costa Rica notably Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Rosa National Parks, the Tamarindo, Playa Negra, Golfo de Papagayo, Playa Flamingo, Palo Verde Wetlands, and Marino Las Baulas National Park.
If you want to have your own mode of transport while in Liberia, Costa Rica, the best and most sensible way is to rent a car.  By renting a car at the Liberia Airport, it is definitely the best way of touring the countryside, beaches and villages and driving through the slow, scenic routes and experience Costa Rica's natural and magical offerings. You can choose from many excellent car hire companies. These companies offer cheap car hires at the Liberia Airport that tourists will truly enjoy.

Source:
Aviacion Civil de Costa Rica
Costa Rica CORIPORT


Author: Roberto Acevedo, Marketing and Sales Executive at Poas Rent a Car
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